India look to kick off English summer on winning note against Ireland

Hindustan Times – It’s the dress rehearsal before the actual test but India would do well not to let the guard down when they take on a lowly but effervescent Ireland in a two-match T20 rubber in Dublin on Wednesday.

Summary

READ | Virat Kohli, Indian cricket team look for improvement in ICC T20 rankingsUmesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar headed the pace group along with all-rounder Hardik Pandya, while a few others practised fielding drills.

While Rahul has been a constant part of the T20I squad, Ajinkya Rahane’s omission from the ODI squad means that he is once again a contender for the number four spot when the three-match series against England begins on July 12.

Since the 2017 Champions Trophy, India have played 32 ODIs and 18 T20Is, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah handling the new ball in 26 ODIs and 9 T20Is, respectively.

READ | 2019 Cricket World Cup: India vs Pakistan set to be sold out as ticket demand sees new highUmesh Yadav last played an ODI in September 2017 against Australia at Bengaluru.

Overall, India and Ireland have played only four times, in three ODIs (the other two during 2011 and 2015 ODI World Cups) and a T20I in 2009 during the World T20 in England.